Cove Rangers are to name the main stand at the Balmoral Stadium after club stalwart Alan McRae.
An official ceremony to unveil the branding, which is set to be completed tomorrow, will take place ahead of the Granite City side’s Highland League Cup meeting with Wick Academy on Saturday.
Outgoing SFA president McRae, who is also Cove’s honorary president, has a long association with the club dating back to 1969 – turning out as a player when the Highland League champions and Scottish League hopefuls were still in the amateur divisions.
McRae’s friend and managerial legend Sir Alex Ferguson says he “applauds” the decision after McRae’s nearly five decades of service.
The ex-Aberdeen and Manchester United gaffer said: “They could not have made a better choice.
“Alan really deserves this accolade from Cove Rangers and I would like to applaud everyone at the club for recognising his achievements over the last 40 years, and more.”
McRae, who has served as Cove chairman and helped push forward the plans for the Balmoral Stadium – which opened at the start of the season – expressed his gratitude at receiving the honour.
He said: “It’s an honour I never expected to receive but I can assure everyone at the club it means a lot to me.
“Seeing my name along the top of the stand is going to take a bit of getting used to but the upside is, Cove might not make me pay at the gate now to get a seat.
“Joking aside, I would like to thank Keith (Moorhouse) and everybody else at the club for their kindness and generosity.”
Current Cove chairman Moorhouse said: “Everybody knows what Alan has done for the club so it’s fitting his efforts are being recognised in this way.
“He had the foresight to look beyond the amateur leagues and pushed for Cove to strive to play at the highest levels possible.
“We have simply carried on the good work instigated by Alan all those years ago.
“He has always cared deeply about the club and for the people at the club.
“This is our way of expressing our gratitude, on behalf of all of us.”
The unveiling ceremony is set to take place 10 minutes ahead of Saturday’s 2.30pm kick-off.
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